Material and Method: Ninety-four patients diagnosed with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma were analyzed for 5-year overall survival in relation to immunohistochemical expression of p53, Bcl-2, and Bax proteins.

Results: The present study included 86 males and eight females with a mean age of 65.1 years. Half of the patients (51%) were in stages III and IV. Radiation (44.7%) and radiation plus surgery (40.4%) were the main treatments. The frequency of p53, Bcl-2, and Bax expression was 58.1%, 18.5%, and 87.2%, respectively. The 5-year overall survival rate was 49.7%. Univariate analysis revealed that T-stage, N-stage and treatment were significantly associated with 5-year overall survival. In the multivariate Cox regression, T-stage, treatment, and Bcl-2 expression were significantly associated with survival. Positive Bcl-2 expression was associated with better survival (Hazard ratio 0.23, 95% CI 0.06-0.81).

Conclusion: The positive Bcl-2 expression is an independent prognostic marker in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Keywords: Larynx cancer, p53, Bcl-2, Bax, Prognostic marker